Lighter



@ci. 26, 1954 w. s. HEPBURN LIGHTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 21, 1951 n//// 72V n, 5 0 M. b 0 6 6 M Z Kama LO Locaj AT'I 'ORNE Y Get; 26, 1954 w. G. HEPBURN 2,692,493

22 24 23 2 INVENTOR W05 BY MQQJL, w-LOCK AT! ORNEY Oct. 26, 1954 w. G. HEPBURN LIGHTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 21, 1951 2 fi l 7V 5 7% r WEI???- INVENTOR BY Kemp LQ. Lou$ ATTOF Patented Get. 26, 1954 LIGHTER William G. Hepburn, Cheshire, Conn., assignor to The Diamond Match Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application December 21, 1951, Serial No. 262,705

7 Claims.

The present invention relates to lighters for cigars and cigarettes and, more particularly, to lighters in which the lighter assembly is adapted to be easily and quickly dismantled for replacing the fuel containing means or adjusting the flint mechanism.

The invention described herein relates to the copending application Serial No. 259, filed December 3, 1951.

Lighters known heretofore have been the subject of much criticism and, in many instances, have been found to be objectionable for ordinary usage.

One of the objectionable features of the heretofore known lighters is the need for constant fuel refilling. This can be both expensive and irritating to the individual who constantly requires the services of a lighter.

Other objections to presently known lighters are their bulky and heavy character, the necessity of constant flint adjustment and their inability to prevent fuel evaporation. It is, therefore, one of the general objects of the present invention to avoid one of these common defects in lighters by providing a light-in-weight, yet durable, plastic case which encloses a replaceable fuel chamber.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic flint adjusting means that includes a unique flint removal arrangement.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a wick sealing means that is designed to keep fuel evaporation at a minimum, thereby reducing the constant need of additional fuel.

Other objects and the nature and advantage of the instant invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the assembled lighter;

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the lighter;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the lighter with parts broken away;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section of the cover assembly with the flint operating mechanism in flint replacing position;

Fig. 5 is a bottom elevation of Fig. 4, with the flint operating mechanism in flint feeding position;

Fig. 6 is a section taken along the line B6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. '7 is a section taken along the line 11 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary end elevation of the lighter shown in Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Fi s. 2 and 3, a shell II) is operatively connected to a cover assembly, generally indicated at H. The shell I0 is formed from a plastic material and is preferably of oblong horizontal cross-section. The topmost end of the shell [0 has integrally formed therewith an indented section having end sections l2, l3 and cutout side sections l4, 15 (see Fig. 2). The side sections l4, I5 form a sliding surface which receives a cover jacket l6 of the cover assembly I l. Attached to the jacket is by suitable means are spring clips l1, [8. As seen in Fig. 3, the spring clips ll, I8 slidably engage the end sections [2, l3 when the cover assembly 1 l is in assembled position with the shell in. Recessed portions I9, 20' in the sides of the shell ll] receive the leg portion of the spring clips ll, I8, thereby providing a smooth surface along the shell sides. When the lighter is assembled, the feet 2|, 22 of the spring clips [1, l8 are adapted to be sprung into the bottom recessed portions 23, 24 of the shell Ill. The spring clips ll, 18 are shown in the removing position in dotted lines in Fi 3.

Disposed in the shell l0, ready for quick replacement, if necessary, is the fuel bag 30. The fuel bag 30 has an oblong horizontal cross-section similar to that of the shell l0 and is made from a filmy flexible plastic material in which the edges are sealed. The sealing process results in the edge 3! formed along the sides of the bag 30. A wick assembly comprising a wick tube 32 and a wick 33 complete the fuel bag unit. The wick tube 32, which is composed of a plastic material, concentrically surrounds the wick 33 and exerts pressure on and compresses the wick fibers. As a result of the pressure on the wick 33, the fluid flow through the wick is reduced and the escape of fuel due to wick saturation is prevented. The wick tube 32 and wick 33 extend through an opening 34 in the fuel bag 30 and are secured to the bag by a boss 35. The boss 35 is formed as part of the wick tube and, as seen in Fig. 3, is secured firmly to the inside upper end of the fuel bag 30.

The opening 34, along with the wick assembly, including the wick tube 33 and the wick 32, is offset from the vertical axis of the fuel bag 33 and cover assembly II. By offsetting the opening 34 and the wick assembly, the flint operating unit, which will be described hereinafter, is accommodated. The wick tube 33 and wick 32 extend above the fuel bag 30, the wick 33 extending beyond the uppermost end of the wick tube 32.

Referring to Fig. 3, the wick 33 is shown extending substantially below the wick tube 32 and forms a U-shaped configuration which is designed to provide for maximum utilization of the fuel in the bag.

In order to compensate for the expansion of the fuel, increased vapor pressure of the fuel and expansion of any air present in the bag, due to variations in temperature or pressure of the atmosphere, the bag is provided with additional capacity. This is accomplished by filling the bag with only enough fuel to insure an adequate number of lights. Because of the additional capacity, and due to its flexibility, the bag 30 is able to respond to the changes in pressure of its contents by altering its internal volume to conform more closely to the shape of the shell II]. It is apparent that this variable volume in the fuel bag 30 will keep the pressures within the bag equal to atmospheric. By such an arrangement, the objectionable internal pressures normally present in ordinary fuel containers is eliminated, thereby obviating the possibility of wick flooding and inadvertent lighting.

Referring again to Fig. 3, the cover assembly comprises the cover jacket |B, which has operatively attached thereto a frame 49. The jacket I6 houses the frame 4|] and also a releasing and latching mechanism, a wick sealing means and a flint operating means, all to be described hereinafter. The frame is secured to the jacket I6 by means of holding screws 4|, 42 which engage the frame 40 at depending cars 43, 44. A reinforcing plate 45, with holes countersunk to receive the screws 4|. 42, is provided to add stability to the jacket It. The jacket I6 is also provided with countersunk holes to receive the holding nuts 4|, 42. It is apparent that jacket l6, along with the reinforcing plate 45 and holding screws 4|, 42, supports the frame 40 which, in turn, carries the cover assembly devices including the releasing and latching means, the wick snuifer means and the flint operating mechanism.

The fuel bag 30 is operatively connected to the cover assembly by means of a hollow molded rubber grommet 45. The grommet 45 fits into an opening 46 cut out of the frame 40. A groove 41 formed in the grommet 45 is shaped to receive the frame 40 as the grommet is pushed into position, the lower end of the grommet being tapered inwardly to facilitate the positioning of the grommet in the frame opening 45. The lower inner portion of the grommet is also tapered to enable the wick assembly to be inserted into an inner opening 48 in the grommet. It is apparent that to replace the fuel bag 30, it is only necessary to remove the spring clips l1, l8 from engagement with the shell H), which releases the shell ID from engagement with the cover jacket l6, leaving the fuel bag 30 exposed. The bag 30 is then removed from the cover assembly by pulling downwardly on the fuel bag 30, by grasping the wick tube 33, which movement pulls the fuel bag out of the hollow grommet 45. A new fuel bag, complete with fuel and wick assembly, is then inserted into the lighter assembly by pushing the new wick assembly up into the hollow grommet 45 until the top of the wick tube 32 is approximately level with the topmost part of the grommet 45. The wick 33, as seen in Fig. 7, is positioned to extend upwardly beyond the wick tube 32 ready for the lighting operation. The fuel bag may be made more stable and lessflaccid by inserting cotton or the like therein.

The means for actuating the releasing mecha nism, which results in the lighting operation, includes an operating button 60 located on the side of the lighter, an opening 6| in the cover jacket |6 providing convenient access to the button 60. To protect the user against possible unexpected lighting, the button can be depressed a short distance before the release device is actuated. This amount of lost motion before the release device operates is governed by the position of a button shoulder 62. The lost motion will allow the button 58 to be depressed to the button recess 63 at which point the button shoulder 62 contacts a cover latch 64, as shown at 62a. Further pressure on the button 60 will force the cover latch 64 to the right, as seen in Fig. 3, releasing a latch tongue 65. The latch tongue 65, as shown in Fig. 3, is integral with a plate 13, the purpose of which will be described hereinafter. The plate H3, with the latch tongue 65, is securely fastened to the cover plate 66 which is continually urged upwardly by a spring 61. Upon release of the latch tongue 65, the cover plate 66 springs upwardly into lighting position due to the action of the spring 6'1.

A spring 68 bears against the cover latch 64, as shown at 69, forcing the cover latch 54 into the latched position continuously, the cover latch being limited from extending beyond the latched position by a lug I0 bent out from the cover frame 40. The spring 68 also acts to force the button 60 into operating position by bearing against the button assembly, as shown at M. It is this spring 68 that also provides the tension against the button '80 while the lost motion is being overcome in the initial lighting operation. A pin 12 acts to pivot the button 69 as it is actuated during the lighting operation.

The cover plate 66, which is released when the button 60 is depressed, is operatively connected to a sparking Wheel by means of pin SI and an operating member, pawl and ratchet, the latter elements not indicated herein. As shown in Fig. 3, the sparking wheel 80 frictionally engages a flint or sparking member 85. From the above description, it is obvious that as the button BI] is depressed, releasing the cover plate 56, the sparking wheel is caused to rotate, which results in sparks spraying onto the wick 33. The cover plate is returned to the inoperative or next lighting position by a manual manipulation of the cover plate toward the latch mechanism.

The flint operating mechanism includes a flint operating arm 99 which is pivoted on the pin 9| and extends from the pin 9| to the under side of the depressing control spring 69, passing in back of the grommet 45, as seen in Figs. 3 and 4. A thumb tab 92, integral with flint operating arm 90, is adapted to be pulled downwardly to move the arm 90 in the position indicated in Fig. 4. A flint lever 93 also pivoted on the pin 9| carries a nose portion 94 that extends into a flint tube 95 through an opening 96 in the flint tube wall. The flint tube 95 is externally threaded at its topmost end at 9! and has a lower shoulder portion 91a abutting against the frame 40. An internally threaded collar 98 threadedly engages the flint tube and combines with the shoulder portion 910 to secure the flint tube 95 to the frame 40. The nose 94 of the flint lever 93 is urged against the flint in the flint tube 95 by a spring 99. The spring 99, which is supported by the pin 9|, bears against the flint lever 93 at I00, and the frame 40 at llll.

The flint operating arm further carries an operating tab I02 which contacts the flint lever 93 at Hi3, see Fig. 4, when the flint operating arm is pulled downwardly. Since the spring 99 bears continuously against the flint lever 93, a constant pressure at all times is exerted on the flint 85 by the nose 94 of the flint lever. Therefore, the constant adjustment of the flint normally necessary in heretofore known lighters is not required in the present lighter.

To change flints, the flint lever operating arm 90 is grasped at the thumb tab 92 and pulled downwardly as seen in Fig. 3. The arm 99 pivots on pin 9! and causes the operating tab 102 to contact the flint lever 93 at [93. Further movement of the arm 99 moves the flint lever 93 out of the flint tube 95 against the action of spring 99. As soon as the flint lever 93 leaves the tube 95, slight pressure on the arm 99 in the direction of the arrow A, see Fig. 5, causes the flint lever nose 94 to catch on the edge of the tube 95 at the point its, as seen in Fig. 4. Pressure is then removed from the operating arm 90 which is returned to the inoperative position shown in Fig. 3. With the flint lever 93 out of the flint tube 85, the worn flint is dropped out of the tube and a new flint inserted. By exerting slight thumb pressure, the flint lever nose 9 is then snapped off the edge of tube 95 into the tube opening against the newly inserted flint.

To insure a minimum of fuel evaporation when the lighter is not in use, a wick sealing means shown in Figs. e and l is employed by the present invention. The wick sealing means comprises a snuffer cap HI) having a bell-shaped configuration. The snuifer cap H9 encloses the wick 33 when the cover plate 66 is latched, the skirt iii of the snuffer cap H9 biting into the rubber grommet 45 and by so doing providing an effective wick seal. In order that sumcient pressure is exerted on the cap iii), a leaf spring H2 operatively connected to the cover plate 66 is provided. The leaf spring assembly comprises the plate I I3, which is secured to the cover plate 66. Cut out from the plate H3 is the spring portion H2, see Fig. 6, which operatively bears against the top of the snuffer cap NO, as shown at H4.

In order to allow the cover plate 56 to close and look without changing the lateral position of the snuffer cap H relative to the grommet 45, a snuffer control ear H5 is provided. The control car H5, which is part of the leaf spring assembly, see Fig. 7, has a slot I is which receives a pin ill attached to the snuifer cap H9. As the cover plate 55 moves upwardly or downwardly carrying the control ear 5 l5, the pin ill rides in the slot H6 and, since the control ear is fixed to the cover plate 6'6, the snuffer cap H0 retains its same relative position with respect to the grommet d5. When the cover plate 66 is closed, the leaf spring H2 will act to exert additional pressure on the snufler cap H9, causing the snuifer cap skirt l l l to bite more deeply into the grommet d5. By this means, an air-tight wick is produced, insuring a minimum of fuel evaporation.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, windproofing holes I are provided in the jacket It for assuring an instant light and a steady flame.

The operation of the lighter is apparent from the foregoing description. The lighting operation results after the button 60 is depressed. Depressing the button 68 causes the shoulder 62 to contact latch (it, moving it to the right, as seen in Fig. 3. The cover plate 66 operating the sparking wheel is released from engagement with the latch and moves upwardly pivoting on the pin 8!. As the cover plate 66 moves to its open position under the action of the spring 57, the sparking wheel 80 moving with the cover plate is caused to rotate which results in a spark spraying on the exposed wick 33. In order to move the cover plate 66 to the inoperative position, the plate is manually pressed downwardly until the latch tongue G4 engages the cover latch G4, thereby securing the plate. The lighter is then ready for a further lighting operation or for disposal in the pocket or purse.

If it is desired to replace the fuel bag, the operation is as follows:

The feet 2!, 22 of the spring clips ll, 28 are snapped out of the shell recesses 23, 2 3 which action releases the shell 16 from engagement with the cover assembly I l. The exposed bag 39 is then removed from the cover assembly by grasping the bag 39 by the wick tube 32 and pulling downwardly. This movement pulls the wick tube and wick out of the hollow grommet 95 and releases the bag from engagement with the cover assembly. A new fuel bag, complete with fuel and wick assembly, is then inserted into the lighter assembly by pushing the wick tube and wick into the hollow grommet 45 as heretofore set forth.

The fuel bags, prior to insertion in the lighter assembly and while in storage, are equipped with a temporary wick cap which will prevent fuel evaporation, but which can be easily removed when the fuel bag is inserted into the lighter assembly. The plastic used in making the fuel bag can be transparent as can the shell it. This arrangement will allow for a visible fuel supply.

While the shell ID is disengaged from the cover assembly H, the flint may be replaced by pulling downwardly on the thumb tab 92. This moves the flint operating arm downwardly which causes the operating tab E02 to contact the flint lever 93. Further movement of the flint operating arm moves the nose 9d of the flint lever 93 out of the flint tube 95, leaving the $55 available for easy replacement.

It is apparent from the foregoing description that the present invention provides a lighter that is not only safe, but practical. Utilizing the plastic fuel bag, whose cost will be relatively minute, the present lighter is available for constant use over a protracted period of time before additional fuel is necessary. Changing the fuel bag is simple and quick and fuel spilling is entirely obviated by reason of the enclosed bag. The automatic flint adjusting means obviates the necessity of constant flint adjustment and provides for an even spark dispersal at all times. Changing the flint is a simple operation, requiring a minimum of time and effort. The wick snuifer device, including the grommet which holds the fuel bag in place assures a minimum of fuel evaporation when the lighter is not in operation and provides a lighter which, combined with the other features described herein, presents a lighting mechanism that is not only pleasing in appearance but is practical for all lighting purposes.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and therefore the invention is not limited to what is shown in the drawings and described in the specification, but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a lighter, a cover assembly, fuel containing means operatively disposed in said cover assembly, a shell surrounding said fuel containing means and operatively secured to said cover assembly, means secured to said cover assembly and engaging said shell for assembling said shell with said cover assembly, resilient means securing said fuel containing means to said cover assembly, and flint operating means located in said cover assembly adjacent said resilient means, said flint operating means including a flint, a lever engaging and automatically adjusting said flint, and a flint operating arm, said flint operating arm being moved from a rest position to engage said lever during the flint changing operation.

2. A lighter comprising a cover assembly having a fuel bag operatively connected thereto, a wick secured in said fuel bag, and a shell surrounding said fuel bag and secured to said cover assembly, said cover assembly including a fuel bag securing means and wick sealing means, said fuel bag securing means comprising a rubber member having an opening formed therein, said fuel bag engaging the opening in said rubber member and held securely in said cover assembly thereby, said wick sealing means engaging said rubber member to seal said wick from evaporation when said lighter is in the inoperative position.

3. A lighter comprising a cover assembly, a shell secured to said cover assembly, a fuel containing means enclosed by said shell, a resilient member secured to said cover assembly and having a central opening formed therein, an elongated tube projecting outwardly from the top of said fuel containing means, said tube extending through said central opening in said resilient member and being firmly retained therein by friction such that said fuel containing means depends from said cover assembly, and means for securing said shell to said cover assembly, said shell being detachable from said cover assembly to expose said fuel containing means for removal from engagement with said flexible member.

4. In a lighter, a flint adjusting and replacing assembly comprising a flint tube having a flint disposed therein, a pivotally mounted flint lever, having a nose portion projecting through an opening in said flint tube and operatively engaging said flint, spring means engaging said flint lever, said spring means forcing said flint lever nose portion against said flint, thereby automatically adjusting said flint, a pivotally mounted flint operating arm normally positioned out of engagement with said flint lever, said flint operating arm having stop means located on one end thereof and pull means located on the other end thereof, said flint arm being moved from the rest position by said pull means to cause said stop means to engage said flint lever, thereby 8 forcing said flint lever nose portion out of said flint tube to release said flint.

5. In a lighter, a flint assembly including a flint tube having a flint disposed therein, pivotal- 1y mounted lever means extending into said flint tube and engaging said flint, thereby forcing said flint into the operative position, and a pivotally mounted elongated arm located in the rest position out of engagement with said lever means, said elongated arm being pivotally moved from said rest position to engage said lever means and thereafter retract said lever means from said flint tube to an inoperative position and thereby expose said flint for replacement.

6. In a lighter, a flint assembly including a flint tube having a flint disposed therein, lever means extending into said flint tube and engaging said flint, thereby forcing said flint into the operative position, arm means positioned adjacent said lever means and out of engagement with said lever means in the rest position, said arm means being moved from said rest position to engage said lever means and thereafter retract said lever means from said flint tube to an inoperative position, and thereby expose said flint for replacement.

7. In a lighter assembly, means for containing fuel, means securing said fuel containing means in said lighter assembly, said securing means including a hollow flexible member, flint means including a flint tube having a flint disposed therein, lever means extending into said flint tube and engaging said flint, thereby forcing said flint into the operative position, arm means positioned adjacent said lever means and out of engagement with said lever means in the rest position, said arm means being moved from said rest position to engage said lever means and thereafter retract said lever means from said flint tube to an inoperative position and thereby expose said flint for replacement.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 970,649 Schon Sept. 20, 1910 1,775,023 Douglas Sept. 2, 1930 1,937,080 Bilds et al. Nov. 28, 1933 1,961,577 Aronson June 5, 1934 2,070,232 Lenfant Feb. 9, 1937 2,258,085 Bolle Oct. 7, 1941 2,603,076 Fukal July 15, 1952 2,617,286 Prusack Nov. 11, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 10,826 Great Britain Dec. 5, 1912 115,675 Austria Jan. 10, 1930 

